Dental floss applicator

DETAILED DESCRIPTION An object of the present invention is to provide an improved dental floss applicator device which is easy to use and more efficient in use than known devices.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a dental floss applicator having two methods of tensioning dental floss being used therewith.
One structure is used to tension the clean portion of dental floss for direct contact with a user's teeth and gums, while the other tensioning means is for the purpose of reducing slack in the feed-in portion of the dental floss.
A further object of this invention is to provide a dental floss applicator having rewind features, usable dental floss stretching and holding structure, and easily operable tensioning means associated therewith for direct engagement by a user's hand and fingers.
A still further object of this invention is to provide a dental floss applicator which will receive spools of dental floss in the same manner that they are sold and distributed by retail outlets.
The dental floss applicator of this invention has a number of new and unique features.
One of these is the top closure for a dental floss spool containing receptacle which has quick attach means associated therewith for quickly attaching and detaching the receptacle thereto.
In addition, tensioning means and rewind means are provided for rewinding and taking up any excess slack produced from the dental floss spool itself.
Another feature is the provision of extending or projecting holding fingers which define usable space therebetween for stretching a short length of dental floss and holding same therebetween.
The arrangement of these projecting fingers in relation to the closure top itself is such that a user's index finger may be readily manipulated in order to apply a proper amount of tension to the stretched piece of dental floss.
The entire dispenser or applicator structure is arranged so that it fits a user's hand in a comfortable and easily used manner.
These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout